Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown showed some empathy following Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's hit to the head in Thursday night's game vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Hope Tua is alright #CTESPN
— AB (@AB84) September 13, 2024
Brown took to X, and offered some advice for the 26-year-old quarterback, who has now sustained his third officially diagnosed concussion in the NFL.
In all seriousness
Tua may want to rethink playing football in the future depending on severity
Concussions not something to mess with
— AB (@AB84) September 13, 2024
"Tua may want to rethink playing football in the future depending on severity. Concussions not something to mess with."
If anyone would know about this, it would be AB, as the wide receiver has even admitted that he has CTE probably.
For those who are not familiar with the term, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is considered a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or rather known as concussion. In view of the lifelong side effects, it slowly damages parts of the brain, which entails causing problems with memory, thinking, behavior, personality, speech or balance.
Welcome @Tua #CTESPN pic.twitter.com/dB1pkLCEPW
— AB (@AB84) September 13, 2024
After recommending that Tua think about retiring due to his previous history with concussions, Brown went on to crack jokes about Tua also having CTE, "Welcome To CTESPN Tua Tagovailoa."
Over the years many fans have made references to AB having CTE based on his erratic behavior shown.
Sincerely AB pic.twitter.com/O6mjJXOaHQ
— AB (@AB84) August 11, 2022
While CTE is a brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated head injuries, many fans have pointed out one play in particular during AB's career that was viewed as the turning point. This came during an AFC Wild Card game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (18-16 win), when linebacker Vontaze Burfict lowered his shoulder and hit a defenseless Brown right in the head when he was coming across the middle of the field.
I’m no doctor, but maybe Antonio Brown never recovered from this disgusting hit by Vontaze Burfict pic.twitter.com/7FKGRs9AiD
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) January 2, 2022
#Steelers Antonio Brown without a doubt got CTE from this hit by #Bengals Vontaze Burfict.
He just never acted right after this hit. pic.twitter.com/A5Uld0JUin
— The Fantasy Football Know It Alls (@FF_Know_It_Alls) August 13, 2024
I’m sorry but you can’t tell me Antonio brown doesn’t have cte .. before the burfict hit he talked and acted like this pic.twitter.com/on89mnKA5W
— John (@iam_johnw) October 1, 2022
When looking at Tua's hit last night, it came on a routine tackle from Bills safety Damar Hamlin, and following the hit the Dolphins quarterback laid on the ground, showing signs of a serious injury as he laid in a "fencing position" with his fingers rolling up in a fist, which is a neurological response to head trauma.
This is NOT good. Watch his right hand. And who hit him: Damar Hamlin. Wow. #tua pic.twitter.com/mw4UCYquCR
— Chris Fore (@chriscfore) September 13, 2024
Tua came out of the game and was ruled out with a concussion almost right away.
Kaylee Hartung: Tua Tagovailoa will not return to this game. He has been ruled out with a concussion. They were able to determine that just 6 minutes after he left the field.
Al Michaels: A little irony there, he got hit by Damar Hamlin. You know that history. pic.twitter.com/SW6gr6ln0O
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2024
Ultimately, considering Tua's previous history with suffering at least three concussions in the past two years, many have called for him to seriously consider retirement.
Tua Tagovailoa's concussion comes less than two years after he suffered numerous head injuries in 2022, which forced him to miss extensive time.
A wave of former and current NFL players suggested now's the time for Tagovailoa to retire.
Details ⤵️https://t.co/iie1qA9mV5 pic.twitter.com/LaovXtBNRv
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 13, 2024
This is what happened to Tua Tagovailoa after his head hit the turf hard. Not sure how you let him back in.
(🎥 @EmmanuelAcho)pic.twitter.com/OiAJwaN5RI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 25, 2022
All in all, Tua entered concussion protocol and more information will be revealed regarding the severity of the head injury following scanning and testing.
Getty; Credit - Carmen Mandato
